Sales for Maine-Nova Scotia ferry approved

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The operator of a ferry that would connect Portland to Nova Scotia has initial permission to begin business this spring.

Nova Star Cruises Ltd. has a permit allowing it to sell tickets for trips to and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Trips are scheduled to begin May 1, The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/1eS75HQ ) reported.

The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission approved the company's proposal once it demonstrated it could refund customers for cancelled trips with a $2 million surety bond. That bond is funded by the Nova Scotia government.

The ferry operators said they also secured a seven-year lease with Yarmouth that will generate $350,000 for the town.

The Nova Star Ferry can carry up to 1,215 passengers and its operators anticipate it will carry 100,000 passengers its inaugural season.

The ferry operator still needs to show proof of liability coverage before it can begin service. Nova Star departed Singapore, where it was built, on Saturday. It is expected to arrive in Yarmouth in a month.